State Bill Could Help Farmers in School Districts With Bond Referendums [AUDIO]

ST. PAUL - Lawmakers in greater Minnesota want to cut farmers' property tax bills for construction projects. Rural lawmakers say farmers pay $10 for every $1 city residents pay when schools, cities and counties charge for new projects because they own more land.

State Representative Tim O'Driscoll of Sartell says it could impact land owners in districts like St. Cloud that are planning on referendums later this year.

The bill would only tax a farmer for his or her house, garage, and one acre of land.

Rural issues are playing a bigger role at the Legislature this year. Senator Lyle Koenen says he hopes he can convince urban lawmakers that his bill should pass because it's fair.

Koenen has pushed a similar bill in past sessions. But the Democrat from Clara City says rising land prices have made it a more pressing problem.